All You Need To Know About National Green Tribunal(NGT), Which Recently Clamped Down On Art Of Living

Sri Sri Ravi’s Cultural Event drew a lot of ire from environmentalist and the National Green Tribunal who had fined Sri Sri Ravi a sum of 5 crores for the ecological damage. Let us look deep into who are the NGT, what is their purpose and many more.

What is National Green Tribunal (NGT)?

The National Green Tribunal is an special tribune formed under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010, passed by the Central Government to handle the speedy disposal of cases that are related to environmental issues. The NGT was enacted under India’s constitutional provision of Article 21 (Right To Life – a part of which assures all the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment.)

What is the job of NGT?

The key function of NGT is to provide effective and expeditious disposal of cases pertaining to environmental protection, conservation of forests and for seeking compensation for damages caused to people or property due to violation of environmental laws.

Can anyone approach NGT to complain about environmental issues?

Yes, anyone can approach the NGT to seek compensation for environmental damage or appeal against an order or decision of the government. If an application is made without claiming any compensation, then a fee of Rs 1000/- is to be paid. In case where compensation is being claimed, the fee will be one per cent of the amount of compensation subject to a minimum of Rs 1000/-

A claim for Compensation can be made for:

Relief/compensation to the victims of pollution and other environmental damage including accidents involving hazardous substances;

Restoration of property damaged;

Restoration of the environment for such areas as determined by the NGT.

Is NGT’s decision equivalent to court?

NGT’s decision is equivalent to court only in cases of the seven laws that are related to environment. Civil courts cannot hear matters related to environmental issues under the seven laws which the NGT is empowered to deal with.

Is NGT influenced by the state or central government?

Though the NGT is a body of the Central government, the structure of the tribunal is handled by judicial members. The Chairperson is a retired judge of the Supreme Court. Other Judicial members are retired judges of high courts. Also it has expert members with professional qualifications and a minimum of 15 years experience in the field of environment, forest conservation and related subjects.

Some significant verdicts given by the NGT

The NGT suspended the environmental clearance given to South Korean Steel company POSCO’s 12 billion dollar project in Orissa. The NGT asked the Environmental ministry to relook into the project and alleged that there was departmental bias in favour of this project. This project prompted a potential of large scale environmental disasters.

The tribunal also put a ban on all forms of illegal river and ocean bed sand mining, which were rampant across the country due to the influence of the sand mafias over sand market.

The NGT had cancelled the forest clearance given by the Union Environmental and Forest Minister, Jairam Ramesh in 2011, to the Parsa East and Kante Basan captive coal blocks in Hasdeo-Arand forests of Chhattisgarh.

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This Mother’s Day, Let Us Make A Real Difference In Our Mother’s Life

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” – Abraham Lincoln

Mothers play a crucial role in our lives. Since we were little, they held our hands, acting as our guide into the world. They took care of all our needs – from teaching us how to hold a spoon, cooking delicious meals for us, dropping us to school and sitting with us while we struggled with our math homework – mothers have been there through thick and thin.

On the special occasion of Mother’s Day, Friends Adult Diapers has a beautiful message for each of us – treat your mother the way she has treated you all her life.

It was our mothers who stayed up all night taking care of us when we fell sick; it was her who help us with our homework. This Mother’s Day, remember to take care and support your mother the way she took care of you all these years.

The minds and bodies of our ageing parents dwindle as they grow even older, and somewhere in the incoherence of understanding their thoughts, children lose patience. They spend less and less time with their parents and hire others to look after them. A study by HelpAge India gives accounts of the elderly, most of whom testify to verbal abuse, neglect and disrespect by their children. Old people rely on their children for both emotional and financial support but, often times are not given the needed care.

There is little difference in how we were as toddlers and how parents are as senior citizens. They couldn’t understand the gibber we uttered then, yet taught us different languages. We were financially dependent on them till at least 18 years of age yet, they never said no to giving us pocket money. Why cannot we echo the same patience our parents showed for so many years?

Our parents have an unconditional love for us. They made sure all our needs are cared for and we never feel alone. When we grow up and our parents enter old age, they require the same care and affection. They would be delighted if we spent time with them after classes or work, make tea or cook for them and also help them with household chores when they have too many things at hand.

It is our responsibility to stand with our parents when they are weak; it is our responsibility to cook for them when they are too tired, and it is our responsibility to take care of them when they fall sick.

Mother’s Day is a celebration in honour of motherhood, a tribute to maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society. Let us make a real difference by showing how much we truly care for our mothers.

Friends Adult Diapers has taken a wonderful initiative in this regard. The most precious gift for a mother is her child. So why not take this as an opportunity to shower her with the same love? After all, she deserves it for being with you through every obstacle and every hardship that you faced.